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⚠️ Este contenido ha sido traducido automáticamente. El texto original en inglés es la versión oficial. La traducción puede contener errores.
Findings and Recommendations 9 findings
F1
Board meetings are held monthly in each Fire Protection District.
No recommendations for this finding
F2
Conflicts were noticed between board members and firefighters in two districts. One Board has hired a consultant to set new goals and provide clear guidance.
No recommendations for this finding
F3
The majority of fire districts are staffed by salaried firefighters. All Districts are supported by volunteers, and supervised and managed by non-salaried Boards of Directors elected by the citizens of their districts. The number of volunteer firefighters is in decline.
No recommendations for this finding
F4
On July 5, 2002 the Sonoma County Auditor/Controller recommended to the Bennett Valley Board that they conduct a physical inventory of equipment and remove any obsolete equipment from the fixed asset detail ledger. The auditor received a response from the Board that they would comply with the recommendation.
No recommendations for this finding
F5
On July 9, 2002, the Bodega Bay Board of Directors improperly conducted a special meeting resulting in a violation of the Brown Act. The Brown Act is a California Law that requires access to meetings and requires the elected officials to let the public speak. It did not appear to be a malicious violation, the agenda was defective since appropriate listings for closed session items were not on the agenda as required by the Act and legal counsel was not present as required. Any closed session that discusses litigation may only be held in conjunction with the Board’s legal counsel.
Related Recommendations (1)
R1
The Bodega Bay Board of Directors is urged to meet with its legal counsel to discuss the Brown Act, especially as it applies to meetings, closed sessions and agendas for all meetings.
F6
On August 22, 2002 the Sonoma County Auditor/Controller sent a letter to the Schell-Vista Fire Protection District’s Board of Directors with the following
No recommendations for this finding
F7
The merger of fire districts and the use of joint-power agreements has resulted in more efficient districts by decreasing administrative costs, standardizing training and purchasing. Within the last ten years The Bellview District merged with Rincon Valley, the Hessel and Twin Hills districts merged to become Gold Ridge, Jenner merged with Monte Rio, and Penngrove and Cotati districts merged to become Rancho Adobe Fire District. The Valley of the Moon Fire District has a joint-power agreement with the City of Sonoma. By contract, the County of Sonoma provides fire administration and management services to the Rancho Adobe Fire District. The Roseland Fire District contracts with the City of Santa Rosa for its fire services.
Related Recommendations (1)
R4
The Jury recommends that other districts consider merging or using joint power agreements and inter-governmental contracts. Required Responses to Findings None. Required Responses to Recommendations The Bodega Bay Board of Directors: R1 The Sonoma County Board of Supervisors: R3 The Rancho Adobe Board of Directors: R3 The Sonoma County Director of Emergency Services: R2 Board of Directors of all Fire Protection Districts: R2
F8
The new county-wide computer aided dispatch system depends on correct maps. Not all districts have been pro-active in up-dating and correcting their maps.
Related Recommendations (1)
R2
Fire district boards should enforce continual up-dating and correction of their maps.
F9
The Rancho Adobe District provides emergency services for Sonoma State University. The University does not compensate the District for those services. Conclusions Mergers, joint-power agreements and inter-governmental contracts make the districts more efficient, reduce costs and benefit the citizens. Some fire districts need to improve compliance procedures as directed by the Auditor/Controller. The Auditor/Controller and other auditors provide insight for the districts to protect taxpayers from district inefficiency. Districts that do not up-date and correct their maps increase risks to citizens within their districts.
Related Recommendations (1)
R3
The Sonoma County Board of Supervisors and the Rancho Adobe Board should meet with Sonoma State University representatives to negotiate an agreement to compensate the District for its services.
Conclusions 1
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CL1 Page 3Mergers, joint-power agreements and inter-governmental contracts make the districts more efficient, reduce costs and benefit the citizens. Some fire districts need to improve compliance procedures as directed by the Auditor/Controller. The Auditor/Controller and other auditors provide insight for the districts to protect taxpayers from district inefficiency. Districts that do not up-date and correct their maps increase risks to citizens within their districts.
No Responses Found 4
Government entities assigned to respond to this report. No response documents have been linked in our database.
Bodega Bay Fire Protection District
Fire District
County of Sonoma
Agency
Rancho Adobe Fire Protection District
Fire District
Sonoma County Board of Supervisors
Elected County Office